Folding telescope-bag.



No..643,874. Patented Feb. 20, I900. A. s. JENKINS.

FOLDING TELESCOPE BAG.

(Applicatiqn filed Sept. 26, 1899.)

(No Model.)

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ANNIE S. JENKINS, OF LYNN, MASSACHUSETTS.

FOLDING TELESCOPE-BAG.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 643,874, dated February 20, 1900.

Application filed September 26, 1899. Serial No. 731,705. No model-) To ctZZ whom it may concern;

Be it known that I, ANNIE S. JENKINS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Lynn, in the county of Essex and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Folding Telescope-Bag, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention is in the line of hand-bags in which the same com prise in each case a pair of rectangular boxes telescopically slidable one within the other; and the object of my invention is the construction of a bag of this character in which the sides can be folded down flat upon the bottom and top thereof in order to permit of compactness in storage, either when put away during nonuse or in being carried empty,and which can be quickly and easily put into proper condition for use again.

My invention consists, essentially, in providing the parts comprising the telescopebag with fabric so adapted as not only to permit easy and perfect flexure along the proper lines, but to efficiently protect the edges of the ,bag from injury by giving the same a cushioning fold of the fabric along such edges.

Referring to the drawings forming part of this specification, Figure 1 is a perspective view of one of the substantially-identical parts of the telescope-bag. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same with all the sides laid flat. Fig. 3 is a sectional plan view of one of the detachable cornersof the same; and Fig. 4 is a perspective view, on a larger scale, showing one corner of the top and bottom sections of the telescope-bag.

As the top and bottom sections of the telescope-bag are substantially identical, the only difference consisting in the reduced horizontal dimensions of the bottom section to permit of the telescopic application of the top or cover section over the same, I will describe the bottom section alone.

Referring to Fig. 1, the section 1 comprises the bottom 2, the ends 4, and sides 3. These parts are flexibly secured together by means of canvas or other fabric pasted thereon, and the ends 4 are provided with the flaps 5, similarly hinged thereto. Said flaps are provided with fastening devices coasting with eyes in the sides 3, by means of which after said sides and the ends 4 have been brought up into a vertical position said flaps are foldedinto con tact with said sides and secured in such places. This holds the parts in the box form desired and as shown in Fig. 1.v So long as said fastening devices are kept in engagement in both the top section and bottom section the telescope-bag is in condition for use; but by disengaging the same the parts of the bag can be folded together and the whole made to occupy a minimum of space. The fasten ing devices which I have found the most practical for this purpose consist of the stems 6, adapted to be forcibly pressed into the sockets or eyes 7. These are readily fastened or unfastened and yet securely hold the sides and ends together when in use.

The parts 2, 3, and dare not integral one with another, but are given the flexible union required by means of the canvas or other suitable fabric 8, pasted or otherwise affixed to the surface of said parts. Along the lines of juncture of the flaps 5 with the ends land of said ends and sides with the bottom 2 I form a seam or fold in the fabric 8 by running lines of stitches through the latter. This is shown more clearly in Figs. 3 and 4, where 9 indicates the seam or fold, and 10 the line of stitching by which the same is formed. The objects of these outjutting seams or folds are twofold. In the first place they act as a means of protection to the telescope-bag when in use and as apartial buffer in the case of blows against the corners of the same. Inasmuch as the body of the parts composing the bag is preferably of pasteboard or pressboard, the exposed edges thereof would become quickly marred if they were not in some manner protected; but thus shielded by said folds or seams the bag can stand a large amount of use and abuse without injury. This form of shield is very economical, in addition to its efficiency, and does not interfere with the flexure of the parts. Another design of said fold or seam is that of ornament. Without it the telescope-box has a bare unfinished look; but with these narrow appendages along the edges of the same it is given a neat and attractive appearance.

When traveling, one often purchases extra articles which cannot be packed into the already-overflowing trunks, but must be carried as unsightly bundles during the remainder of the trip; or when one wishes to take brief side trips, leaving the trunks at some central point, it is very necessary to have some form of hand-bag at command. \Vith my folding telescope-bag packed away in the trunk the traveler is master of the situation. It takes practically no room in the trunk, and yet,with scarcely a moments delay, it can be taken therefrom and put together, becoming then the recipient of almost half a trunkful of articles. In the same way for those living in flats or elsewhere unpossessed of the oldfashioned attic this folding grip becomes a great convenience. It takes up almost no space in the closet or on the shelf, but can be instantly made ready for use. Moreover, this telescope-bag is light, strong, and very cheap. It can be covered with cloth, leather, or other material, or its body formed of heavy leather or leatheroid covered with thinner leather or fabric. IVhere I use the term fabric in the claims, however, I wish to signify any flexible sheeting.

\Vhat I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is as follows, to wit:

1. The folding bag comprising the parts flexibly united one to the other by means of fabric affixed to said parts, said fabric having a fold jutting out from each line of flexure and serving to protect the same from injury, said folds being formed by means of stitches along such lines of flexure, substantially as set forth.

2. The folding telescopic bag comprising the two parts telescopically applied one to the other, each of said parts consisting of the top' or bottom having sides, ends and flaps flexibly united thereto and provided with means for removably securing said sides, ends and flaps together, the flexible means for uniting said sides, ends and flaps to said top or bottom consisting of fabric afiixed thereto, said fabric having a fold jutting out from each'line of fiexure and serving to protect the same from injury, said folds being formed by means of stitches along such lines of flexure, substantially as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing invention I have hereunto set my hand this 19th day of September, 1899.

ANNIE S. JENKINS.

\Vitnesses:

JAMES E. JENKINS, A. B. UPIIAM. 

